Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 9:14
And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
14. all that call on thy name ] To call on Christ is the same as to be a believer in Him. The expression is used as an apposition to “saints” in 1Co 1:2, and thence we see what in the Pauline language was meant by the word “saints.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 14. And here he hath authority, c.] Ananias had undoubtedly heard of Saul’s coming, and the commission he had received from the chief priests and he was about to urge this as a reason why he should have no connection with so dangerous a man.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Here Ananias shows the strengh of his excuse; for flesh and blood cried in him, as in Moses, Exo 4:13, Send by him whom thou wilt send.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
14. here he hath authority,&c.so that the terror not only of the great persecutor’s name,but of this commission to Damascus, had travelled before him from thecapital to the doomed spot.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And here he hath authority from the chief priests,…. His fury and madness against the saints did not stop at Jerusalem, but he had received a commission from the sanhedrim to go to Damascus, where he now was:
to bind all that call on thy name; to take up all such persons and put them in bonds, and carry them bound to Jerusalem, whom he should find either praying to Christ, as God, as the first Christians used to do, and which is no inconsiderable proof of the deity of Christ; or professing the name of Christ, or were called by it.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Hath authority ( ). Probably Ananias had received letters from the Christians left in Jerusalem warning him of the coming of Saul. The protest of Ananias to Jesus against any dealing with Saul is a fine illustration of our own narrow ignorance in our rebellious moods against the will of God.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “And here he hath authority,” (kai hode echi eksousian) “And at this point (right now) he has authority,” he has been deputized, has a warrant – how Ananias had found this out is not known, but he had, Gal 1:23; Act 9:21.
2) “From the chief priests,”(para ton archiereon) “From the chief priests,” Ananias and Caiphas, Act 4:6; head of the Jewish Sanhedrin in Jerusalem, Act 8:3; Act 9:1-2; Act 22:5.
3) “To bind all that call on thy name,”(desai pantastous epikaloumenous to onoma sou) “To bind (handcuff, or take into custody) all those repeatedly calling upon thy name,” those continually praying in your name, Act 9:2; Act 9:21. To bind meant to legally detain for imprisonment; The occasion for such charges was simply one’s calling on Jesus, or witnessing and praying in His name, similar to charges against Peter, John, and the other apostles, Act 4:12; Act 4:17-20; Act 5:28-29; Act 26:10; Col 3:17.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
14. He hath power to bind. We gather by these words, that the fame of the persecution which Saul went about (590) was spread far and wide; for which cause his conversion was (591) more famous. Nevertheless, the Lord suffered the faithful to be evil entreated, (592) that the benefit of such sudden deliverance might afterwards be the more excellent. We must mark that speech, when he saith that the godly call upon the name of Christ. For whether you understand it, that inasmuch as they professed that they were Christ’s, they rejoiced therefore in him, or that they used to fly to him for succor, invocation cannot be without sure confidence. By both which the divinity of Christ is not only proved, but also if the second be received, which seemeth to be more natural, (593) we are taught by the example of the faithful, to call upon the name of Christ when he is preached to us.
(590) “ Parabat,” was preparing.
(591) “ Debuit,” must have been.
(592) “ Misere cruciari,” miserably tortured.
(593) “ Genuinum,” genuine.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(14) All that call on thy name.Here again we have to trace the growth of a new terminology. The description of the disciples of the Lord Jesus as those who called upon or invoked His name, had its origin in the words of Joel cited by St. Peter (Act. 2:21), and afterwards by St. Paul (Rom. 10:13). It is used again in Act. 9:21, and afterwards in 1Co. 1:2; 2Ti. 2:22. It may be noted further (1) that the same word is used of calling upon the Father (1Pe. 1:17), and of calling on Christ (here and Act. 7:59); and (2) that this also, like the term saints discussed in the fore going Note, passed from Ananias to St. Paul.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
14. Authority chief priests The supernatural character of the events were clearly perceived by Saul’s company; and, however much they may have endeavoured to conceal the mortifying overthrow and conversion of their leader, rumours of the facts could not but be circulated among both Jews and Christians in Damascus.
Call on thy name A clear declaration that the very peculiarity of the Christian was praying to Jesus.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
Ver. 14. And here he hath authority ] Therefore he was more than 20 years old (as Ambrose and Theodoret make him to be) at his first conversion. For here he hath authority committed unto him, not incident to so very a youth.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
14 .] It could hardly fail to have been notified to the Christians at Damascus by their brethren at Jerusalem, that Saul was on his way to persecute them.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 9:14 . hic et huc (Blass), Act 9:21 . note the repeated pronoun and compare 1Co 1:2 s where . is closely joined with . and on the whole phrase see above Act 2:21
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
authority. Greek. exousia. App-172.
call, &c. See note on Act 2:21.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
14.] It could hardly fail to have been notified to the Christians at Damascus by their brethren at Jerusalem, that Saul was on his way to persecute them.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 9:14. , who call upon Thy name) A description of Christians: Act 9:21; 1Co 1:2. By this phrase the LXX. for the most part express that Hebrew one .
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
here: Act 9:2, Act 9:3
call: Act 9:21, Act 7:59,*Gr: Act 22:16, Rom 10:12-14, 1Co 1:2, 2Ti 2:22
Reciprocal: 1Ch 16:8 – call Psa 105:1 – call Mat 2:22 – he was Mat 4:23 – teaching Mar 13:9 – take Act 9:16 – for Act 9:17 – Brother Act 22:4 – I persecuted Act 22:5 – also Act 26:10 – having Gal 1:13 – how 2Ti 2:19 – Let Rev 2:13 – my name
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Act 9:14. Here he hath authority. No doubt Ananias and the saints at Damascus had received intimation from the Jerusalem brethren of Sauls mission to their city.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
See notes on verse 13
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
14. . . .to bind all those who call on the name of the Lord. This is the universal designation of Gods people, i. e., calling on the name of the Lord. Prayer moves the arm that moves the world, and turns the key that unlocks heaven.